Killed electric car

While new legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to lift the cap and extend federal tax credits for plug-in hybrids and electric cars, a new bill aims to kill them altogether—and even tax electric cars more. Republican Senator John A. Barrasso of Wyoming introduced a new bill this week that would end the tax credits. Additionally, the bill creates a Federal Highway user fee for alternative fuel vehicles. Electric vehicles do not pay into the gas tax in the United States, which helps pay for infrastructure improvements. The full text for the bill isn’t available yet, but the basic description is more than enough to understand the Senator’s intentions. Republicans also came close to scrapping the up to $7,500 tax credit as part of tax cut legislation passed in the U.S. last year. Eventually, senators left the tax credit in the revised tax code, but a standalone amendment to the Internal Revenue Code may have a better shot at gaining … [Read more...] about Senator Introduces Bill to Kill Electric Car Tax Credits In US

Ordinary motorists face being priced out of driving if the Government goes ahead with proposals demanding that by 2040 every car can cover 50 miles on electric power. The warning came from Toyota to the business select committee as it heard from car chiefs about the future of electric vehicles. A leaked government consultation called “Road to Zero” proposes the 50-mile zero emission requirement for cars in 22 years’ time. However, Toyota Motor Europe managing director Tony Walker warned such a measure could put driving beyond the budgets of most people, saying that batteries capable of hitting the 50-mile requirement are too expensive. “The point is that every car, from the biggest to smallest, whether it costs £10,000 or £250,000, for every car to be able to do 50 miles [on electricity] is not wise, it is reckless,” Mr Walker. “It will price the ordinary customer out of the market.” Toyota introduced hybrid cars to the mass … [Read more...] about Ordinary drivers face being priced off the road by electric car proposals

Firefighters doused the blazing Tesla Inc. Model X’s battery pack, and then company engineers removed about one-quarter of its power cells before the vehicle was deemed safe to tow off a California freeway. That didn’t prevent the powerful and highly flammable lithium-ion battery cells from reigniting. The car caught fire twice more within 24 hours of the March 23 fatal crash, and again six days later, according to a safety bulletin from the fire department in Mountain View. Fires on electric vehicles are rare, but the volatile chemistry of their batteries and the need for special training on how to extinguish them raises new safety questions as automakers are poised to dramatically increase production. Techniques for putting out burning gasoline-fueled vehicles could make worse a blaze in a battery powered one. “We’re in uncharted waters here,” said Donald Sadoway, a professor of materials chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. … [Read more...] about Electric-car era threatens firefighters with new risks

Which electric car can California and Oregon buyers take home for less than $200 a month and get $1,000 for doing so? What electric car war recalled this week? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending May 11, 2018. Friday, we learned of a new lease deal on the new 2018 Honda Clarity Electric car. It may not have much range, but at least buyers can drive it cheap. General Motors expanded its software recall on 2017 Chevy Bolt EVs to include 2018 models to ensure that drivers will get more warning before battery problems shut the car down. Thursday, we reported on another Tesla Model S crash in Florida that killed two teenagers. Investigators don't think the crash involved Autopilot, but it did involve a big battery fire. We also learned that the new Jeep Wrangler with its new turbo-4 engine will save its drivers a fifth of that the old model would have burned. 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV Plugged into L1 in Corte Madera, … [Read more...] about Electric car recalls and deals, another Tesla crash, how much range is enough: The Week in Reverse

The EPA has posted official ratings for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler and its turbocharged inline-4 engine. Tesla is under scrutiny again after the NTSB opened a new investigation following a vehicle fire that killed two teenagers. The Consumer Federation of America issued a new report declaring improved fuel economy helps offset the cost of modern safety technology. And Audi has laid out its roadmap for future electric cars post-2019. All of this and more on Green Car Reports. The 2018 Jeep Wrangler officially features EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 25 highway, 24 combined. The numbers drop for buyers seeking a four-door Wrangler, however. Following a Tesla Model S fire, the National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday that it is investigating a crash that killed two teens and injured a third in Florida. Investigators want to know why the battery pack caught fire so quickly. The CFA issued a new report to declare vehicles with better gas mileage … [Read more...] about Jeep Wrangler fuel economy, another Tesla investigation, and Audi talks electric-car plans: Today’s Car News